The Secret Weapon for Men’s Health
Research has consistently shown that every area of a child’s life is impacted positively when they have an active and involved father who is consistently present in their life. More recently, studies are also showing men’s health benefits from having children. It is encouraging that over the past decade, men are taking a more active role in their children’s lives. In addition to physical health benefits, men’s self-esteem and work productivity are also positively impacted by fatherhood.
Clinic director for Sea Mar and father of two, Tony Stupski, notes, “Increased social connectivity is very important for physical and emotional health. Having children helps to create a healthy social network. Parents are more connected with the community through interactions with school, children’s activities such as sports and extracurricular activities, and extended families. Parents are more likely to meet and interact with other parents of their children’s friends. Social connectivity is important for longevity. Increased activity levels are also more likely to follow with having children. Parents are less likely to live sedentary lives because children will help to keep them active.”
While some of this may seem counterintuitive, especially during the teen years when one might expect first dates and driver’s licenses to put significantly more stress on the heart by increasing blood pressure, men who are married and have children have also been known to be involved in less risk taking activities as they transition into fatherhood. “Fatherhood comes with a lot of great health perks,” says Marcus Goldman, M.D., author of “The Joy of Fatherhood: The First Twelve Months” (Prima Publishing, 2000). “Not only does it inspire men to take better care of themselves physically, but it also fills them with a sense of purpose that genuinely enhances their psychological well-being.”
To read more, pick up a copy of the June 2015 issue at any of these locations, or view the digital archive copy here.
